A.N. Ahhh, I am so sorry for not updating in like forever. School is finally out though, so do not fret. There is more Skinner and Anita here for you! I'm also slowly going to start on the Henry/Mina love in this story but I'm not sure how I'm going to go about it, so, as I said, it will be slow.
I hope you enjoy this chapie and I am sooo grateful for all of you who have stuck with this story. Your just going to have to beat me to get more updates and so I don't get sidetracked, lol.
On with the story!
Not So Bad Ch. 9: Surprises
Anita stared at the sleeping man next to her. His hands, one resting lazily on her side, the other resting against his chest. Smiling she nestled herself close to him, fitting perfectly with the curve of his body. She reached up and took a lock of his red hair, twirling it between her fingers. She felt as if she was in a dream being with Skinner like this. Never in a million years did she think she would be able to start over and live happy, but her journey wasn't over yet. There was still room for something to go wrong, but she wouldn't let that stop her. Anita was going to do anything to keep what she had so longingly wanted all her life and she wasn't about to let complications ruin it.
Skinner groggily awoke at the feel of light little tugs at his hair and light humming.
"Hmmmm, is it time to get up?" he asked sleepily. He slowly opened his eyes to see Anita smiling at him slightly and still humming, even after answering his question.
"No. Not yet." Skinner returned the smile and wrapped both of his arms around Anita's shoulders, pulling her closer to him. She did the same lightly running her nails up and down Skinner's bare back.
"What are you humming?" Skinner asked softly entangling his own fingers in Anita's soft hair, so much like his own.
"It's a folk song my mother sang to me when I was little and couldn't fall asleep. It's called "Jetam emour tu"."
"It sounds lovely."
"Hmm, as long as I live I'll never be able to forget that song. I'm going to sing it to my children and hopefully they'll sing it to their children and so on." Skinner kissed the top of her head gently.
"They will."
"Oh, sorry!" a young, rounded woman yelped startling the two lovers. She had peeked her head in through the door, but quickly retreated behind it when she saw Anita and Skinner.
"Breakfast is ready for you down stairs." the woman, who had to be Marge, said from behind the door.
Skinner groaned and Anita chuckled "We'll be right there! Thank you."
Everyone was already downstairs, except for Henry and Mina when Skinner and Anita made their way down to the kitchen area. The young woman from earlier was at the stove wearing a simple dress and apron . Her dark brown hair was done in a neat French braid. Nemo, Tom, and Marlond were at the table talking most likely about the days future events. Nemo already had a map out and was energetically pointing at a few spots on the map, Marlond listening intently to the wiser man.
"Already bunkered up about the great hunt and they haven't even ate breakfast." Marge said turning, smiling at Skinner and Anita as they moved to sit. "Sorry to interrupt your fest this morning." Marge said giving them an apologetic look.
"Don't worry about it, Marge." Anita patted Marge on the shoulder.
"What fest?" Tom asked staring at Skinner with a raised eyebrow as the couple reached the table.
"Tom, I do believe you are a cat…and what always kills the cat?" Skinner asked.
"Curiosity…" Tom mumbled taking the hint.
"Where is Henry and Mina?" Anita asked noting the other two empty chairs. She reached over and took Skinner's hand in hers as they both sat down next to one another.
Tom looked up at Anita, a smirk on his face. "They'll be down in a minute." he then turned to Skinner with a wink.
Anita furrowed her brows at Tom's expression and behavior but decided to ignore it.
"Shall we discuss where we will be going. Mr. Hennings has informed us that Godrey is where we should start for that is where the most recent attacks have occurred." Nemo gestured with his hand to a map of the small town of Falkurc.
"Well, I would suggest that, yes. The more we investigate the beast's hunting grounds, the easier it will be to pick out a routine. Easier to pick up on its favorite places and its behavioral patterns."
"We might even find enough clues to catch the beast in human form."
"I certainly hope so." Tom whispered. Anita looked at Tom briefly, agreeing with his comment and glad he was deciding to be adult about the situation.
Mina and Henry startled everyone from their serious discussion when they finally came down, arm in arm and caught up in their own conversation.
"Alright is everyone here?" Marlond asked, not finding it strange that the vampiress was sharing her deepest interests with the doctor who usually was to nervous and quiet to speak, especially to a woman. Now they were almost playfully arguing…almost bickering like a couple.
"Yes, I believe so." Nemo said.
Marlond got up out of his chair and went over to the young woman, his wife.
"Marge," she turned around at hearing her name and at Marlond putting his hand on her shoulder.
"You better be careful out there. In my state I don't want to be having to look for you." Marlond chuckled at his wife's demanding.
"I will, and speaking of your state," He turned facing Henry and mina. "This is Doctor Henry Jeykle . He is going to give you a check up. You know you've been sick for a few weeks now, I just want to make sure it isn't something serious." Marge cupped Marlond's cheek and smiled.
"You don't worry about me. I'll be over this soon. I'm sure of it." she looked at Henry, "It is nice to meet you and whatever he has told you, I assure you it is not that bad." Henry nodded, smiling.
"As I understand it, you have been having trouble with your stomach. If that's the case we can take a look after we eat and I can cure that right away. No need to worry."
"Oh I'm not worried none, just anxious to prove my speculations." With that she turned back to cooking, a secretive smile forming on her lips.
Henry came out of the fairly large room with Marge at his arm, both smiling.
"I don't understand how you women always seem to know." Henry teased.
"Well, I'd be a bit baffled if we didn't. After all we are the ones that carry the babes for 9 months."
Henry smiled at the Woman now seemingly glowing. "I suppose you would be."
They reached the bottom of the stairs and went into the living area where the League waited.
"Well what is it? Everything alright?" Marlond asked going to his wife. Her and Henry were both laughing slightly cheered up by the good news.
"Well what is it?" Marlond asked again. "It can't be that bad since you two are in joyfull spirits."
"I better leave this to you." Henry said. He patted Marlond on the back, then guided the rest of the league out to the front of the building.
"What's going on? Please tell me."
Marge took Marlond's hand and gently placed it on her abdomen.
"Congratulations dad." she whispered. Marlond's eyes widened.
A.N. Ha ha ha, left ya with a cliff hanger. AND PLEASE SOMEONE GIVE ME ADVICE ON THE MINA/HENRY ROMANCE! I dreadfully need it.
Hope you guys stick with my fic! I love you!
